Which Islands Offer The Best Snorkeling In The Sea Of Cortez?

If you're after a compact list, here are the islands I always recommend: Isla Espíritu Santo/Isla Partida (best overall), Los Islotes (sea lions and super fun), Isla San José and San Francisco (shallow reefs and turtles), Isla Coronado and Isla Danzante in the Loreto archipelago (rocky reefs and clearer water), and Isla Cerralvo for bigger marine life. I tend to think of these islands in clusters: La Paz side for convenience and playful encounters, Loreto for dramatic rock formations and visibility.

I usually snorkel early morning to avoid boat traffic and to see the fish feeding. Bring reef-safe sunscreen, a thin rashguard, and a mask that seals well — the difference between an ok day and a magical one is often the fit of your mask. Every island has its own personality, and I love how each swim tells a different small story about the gulf.

On a misty dawn I once took a panga out from Loreto and felt the kind of hush that only the Sea of Cortez can deliver. We started around Isla Coronado, where the water was glassy, and I drifted over rocky ledges hunting for nudibranchs and small morays. Later that day we worked our way south to Isla Danzante and found denser schools of parrotfish and a mob of eagle rays cruising in the blue.

That trip taught me to think in terms of seasons: spring and late summer bring nutrient upwellings and more big fish, while late fall often offers calmer seas and excellent visibility. I also learned to match my itinerary to the vibe I wanted — mellow snorkeling with sea lions near Los Islotes, or exploring dramatic drop-offs around Cerralvo for a chance at bigger pelagics. My kit evolved with experience: a low-volume mask, light fins for long swims, and a small waterproof camera to capture shy turtles. Looking back, each island felt like a different chapter in one long, salty book, and I can't help but smile remembering those dives.

A quick breakdown that I keep scribbled in my travel notes: for kids or nervous snorkelers, Isla Espíritu Santo and the shallow bays off Isla San Francisco are ideal — calm, clear, and full of small, colorful fish. For wildlife theater, Los Islotes is unbeatable because of the sea lions; expect fast, playful animals and lots of laughs. If you want big fish and stronger currents, aim for Isla Cerralvo or the outlying Loreto islands like Coronado and Danzante. For photographers and macro fans, the rocky crevices around the smaller isles reveal tiny critters if you slow down and look.

Practical tip from my many trips: prioritize local outfitters who respect seasonal closures and know the quiet coves. I always leave feeling richer for the sights and sillier from the sea lion antics.

Blue water, playful sea lions, and coral-studded shallows — that's the vibe I chase in the Sea of Cortez, and my top spot has to be Isla Espíritu Santo (including tiny neighbor Los Islotes). From La Paz I hopped on a pangero early one morning and the ride itself felt like a promise: calm seas, islands rising out of the blue. Los Islotes is a short hop and it’s practically a wildlife carnival — sea lions weave around you, curious and unbothered, while colorful reef fish flit under rocky ledges. Isla Partida, which sits right beside Espíritu Santo, has quieter coves with excellent visibility and gentle slopes full of corals and baby rays. I’ve seen eagle rays and schools of jacks here that make you want to just float and stare.

If you’re after bigger reef life, don’t skip Cabo Pulmo on the eastern side of the cape. It’s a real conservation success story — a living reef where schools of snappers and groupers form dense clouds that nibble through the sunlit water. Snorkeling here feels almost cinematic: currents bringing nutrients, fish everywhere, turtles that barely notice you. For a different flavor, Isla Cerralvo (sometimes whispered about as a Jacques Cousteau favorite) gives you deeper drop-offs and a chance to see bigger pelagics on calmer days.

Around Loreto, the islands inside the marine park — Isla Carmen, Isla Danzante, and Isla Coronado — offer sheltered bays and beautifully clear snorkeling spots with easy access from town. Each island cluster has its own personality: playful pinnacles, quiet coral gardens, and occasional manta glides. Personally, I fall in love with Espíritu Santo every trip; the combination of easy access, sea lions, and crystalline coves keeps pulling me back.

If I had to rank quick favorites for anyone making a short trip: 1) Los Islotes/Isla Espíritu Santo — for guaranteed sea lion encounters and easy access; 2) Cabo Pulmo — for a living reef and massive fish schools; 3) Isla Cerralvo — for deeper walls and occasional pelagics; 4) Loreto islands like Isla Carmen or Danzante — for variety and quieter coves.

I like to think of the Gulf as a patchwork: the La Paz cluster is great for wildlife interactions and calm bays, Loreto’s park offers sheltered snorkeling with historical island vibes, and Cabo Pulmo gives that full-reef immersion you won’t forget. Practically speaking, pick a base town (La Paz, Loreto, or the East Cape), book a small-group boat, protect the reef with your sunscreen choice and behavior, and let the water do the rest. Every time I come up for air I end up smiling — it’s hard not to.

Salt on my lips and a rash guard in my bag — that’s how I plan snorkeling trips here, and if I’m giving you the practical shortlist: start with Los Islotes/Isla Espíritu Santo, then move to Cabo Pulmo, and round out with Isla Cerralvo or the Loreto islands. Timing matters: late spring through early fall usually brings warmer, calmer water and better visibility, though winter has its own perks like whale activity offshore. Boats out of La Paz and Loreto run daily tours; read recent reviews and choose a small operator that emphasizes conservation and limits group size.

Safety and comfort are key. I always rent a mask that seals well, bring reef-safe sunscreen, and wear a thin wetsuit or rash guard so I can stay longer without getting chilled. For families, Los Islotes is a great choice because the sea lions are shallow and charismatic — still, kids should be briefed to keep distance and not chase animals. Cabo Pulmo is more of a drift-and-dream spot where you can float over dense schools and feel the scale of the reef. Also expect park fees and short boat transfers; supporting local guides helps protect these places. After a full day of snorkeling I tend to sit on the bow, sun-dry my gear, and grin at how many fish I couldn’t name — that’s always a good day in the Sea of Cortez.

Blue-green water and playful sea lions make some islands impossible to forget.

I always put Isla Espíritu Santo at the very top of my list for snorkeling in the Sea of Cortez. It's close to La Paz, the water clarity is superb, and the reefs around Isla Partida and the little islets nearby are full of rays, schools of jacks, and bright reef fish. A short boat trip takes you to Los Islotes, where curious sea lions swarm snorkelers — it's chaotic, joyful, and unforgettable. The shallow rock gardens and kelp around Isla San José and Isla San Francisco are excellent for easy, colorful snorkeling.

For slightly wilder water and bigger encounters I head toward Isla Cerralvo and the islands around Loreto, like Isla Coronado and Isla Danzante. These spots have stronger currents sometimes, which brings pelagics and larger schools. Logistics-wise, I prefer day trips from La Paz or Loreto with a small, experienced crew; they know the best coves and the right tides. Every trip leaves me grinning like an idiot — salty, sunburnt, and already planning the next island hop.